Critical Thinking And The Perceptual Process example essay topic

Nature or Logic and Perception Outline: 1. Definition of logic and its connection with critical thinking. 2. An everyday example is given when use of logic and critical thinking takes place. 3. Nature of logic defined.

4. Perceptual shortcuts and factors influencing it. 5. How these shortcuts affect our decisions.

6. My personal experience of perceptual shortcut. 7. What I learned from this experience. 8. Importance of logic and critical thinking.

9. Resources Abstract: This paper is aimed at the relation logic has with perception. It kicks off with the meaning and process of logic and how it then relates to critical thinking. It further gives a very common example of how one makes a decision with the help of his / her critical thinking.

We then find out what perceptual shortcuts are and how they are formed and what influences it. The paper then goes on to explain in detail about an incident in my life where my perception of the situation was far from the actual reality. The paper wraps up with my final thoughts of how nature of logic affects thinking process. Webster's dictionary defines logic as the science dealing with the principles of reasoning, especially of the method and validity of deductive reasoning. In layman's terms, the use of logic within our thinking allows us the ability to discern and reason logically that with which we are presented with on a daily basis. It is a process of examining and evaluating any particular idea or thought, in an effort to search for the truths that allows us to better understand or identify why we think the way we do.

It enables us to more effectively express our opinions and ideas or even aid in the argument of someone else's point of view. Hence the term, Critical Thinking! It is a way in which we rationalize any given thought or idea that helps us to come to a conclusion based on the findings that support it. For instance, before heading to work you watch the news and their morning traffic update for possible accidents and road closures because you have an hour commute. On this particular morning you hear the traffic reporter mention that your daily route to work has been closed due to a huge tractor-trailer accident.

Logically, and using critical thinking you are able to come up with two alternate routes for getting to work on time. Using further logic and critical thinking you watch the news for further traffic details to make a final decision on one of two alternate choices. You hear that one of your choices is severely backed up, so you decide to go with you other decision to arrive to work punctually and safely. The nature of logic as understood is when you have a situation, belief, custom, etc. that is examined and reviewed in great detail to discover the reasoning behind certain deeds. Critical thinking as I understand is when you view a situation in numerous ways to get a precise answer or best results.

The nature of logic relates to critical thinking by examining the situation and thoughts to get a clearer decision of possible outcomes, or reasoning. We make one major judgment when we first encounter a person or situation and then we carry that impression forward into subsequent interactions, is what we call perceptual shortcuts. Viewing people as steady or constant is directly related to first impressions and involves a belief that people will not, or can not, change their behavior. There are factors that can affect this process such as; biological, social / cultural and language factors. Apart from these values, beliefs and attitudes have a sound effect on a person's perception. Since people make judgments based on their perception, a lot of misinterpretation and conflict is caused.

So in order to keep things on the right track, all one has to do is listen and look well and definitely not jump to conclusions; for this patience is necessary. My perceptual blocks developed from the environment I resided in. Growing up with my siblings and parents who were very loving, I couldn't understand what the situation be like if it were otherwise. I basically had a miss understanding with my friend's intentions. We used to do combine study and I was in the habit of sharing everything with her. Because I was in this habit, sub-consciously, I expected the same from her.

This typical thinking I picked from my family and environment. A day came when I spotted her writing something and as I came close she hid the papers. I was very curious as to what she had been writing and when I asked her, she didn't answer. If I had been in her place I would have not only answered but shown her the papers as well. However, she didn't do either and I was offended. After that, one of my other friends said that she must be having the important questions which she doesn't want to share with me.

I was hurt and this was something that no one had ever done before. So I went directly to my friend started an argument that I was not expecting this from her. I did this because in the surroundings where I grew up, everyone confronts the other if they haven't understood something. My friend was from a different background and perhaps that's why she did not react in the way that I had.

She told me the actual truth, which was far from the reality. She had been writing a letter to her real mother as she used to live with her step mother. Her real mother had left her when she only 2 years old. As I came to know the truth, I immediately apologized. We are still best friends. But since that day onwards, I learnt that "first investigate and then poke into the matter".

I also began to be more understanding since then. I further changed my tactics and always made sure that I knew both sides of the story. The nature of logic as it relates to critical thinking, and the perceptual process have a great impact on individuals choices and decisions in life. It is important to think before you speak because you never know where miss-understanding may take you. Do not assume, but think about all of your possible choices before making a fair decision. View situations in its entirety for clearer possible outcomes.

When you have exhaled all possible choices, make a final decision that makes you feel more comfortable with your decision. In the end not only will you gain knowledge, but you will also enhance your way of thinking to understand and except different people and environments.

Bibliography

Brewer, Bill". Perception and Reason". Clarendon Press: Oxford, 1999. Pg no 288. Philosophy Lander web log. html.